Try Ubuntu OS on a Galaxy Nexus (GT-I9250): A Bold Experiment or a Waste of Time?
First Impressions: A Love-Hate Relationship with the Galaxy Nexus
I received the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (check price on Amazon) about an hour ago. These are my first impressions, and I will add to the review as I become more accustomed to the phone.
Setup: Easy or a Puzzle?
Upgrading from my old HTC/Google Nexus was straightforward. All I needed to do was:
- Take the SIM out of the old phone.
- Snap the back off the Galaxy Nexus (a bit fiddly, but manageable).
- Install the SIM and battery, refit the back cover, and power it up.
The phone immediately began installing apps I had set to auto-update on my old phone. Within minutes, it prompted me for a firmware update, which took about 3 minutes, including a reboot. So far, so good!
The Screen: Gorgeous but Distracting
The 4.65-inch AMOLED screen is stunning—vibrant, large, and easy to read. However, the Ice Cream Sandwich UI introduces a sideways swipe for the app tray instead of the traditional up/down gesture. Muscle memory betrayed me multiple times in the first hour. Thanks, Google, for the unannounced finger gymnastics!
Camera: Great Quality, but Watch Your Fingers!
Taking photos and videos is straightforward, and the quality is impressive. However, I kept accidentally covering the microphone while filming. Pro tip: Learn how to hold your phone properly unless you want your videos to sound like they were recorded underwater.
Updates and Features: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
2 Hours In:
- The Portable WiFi Hotspot worked flawlessly, connecting my iPad 2 to the internet.
- Bluetooth pairing with my car’s hands-free system was seamless.
6 Hours In:
- Photos and videos are sharp, but focusing can be tricky. Tap the screen to focus on your subject—unless you’re in camcorder mode, where tapping captures a still instead. Confusing? Yes. Useful? Sometimes.
3 Days In:
- Battery life is decent: 20 hours of normal use (mostly data access) with 34% remaining.
- The auto-dimming screen brightness is too low for my taste. Adjusting it manually is a must.
5 Days In:
- The phone crashed twice and froze once. Stability issues? Definitely. But hey, it’s Android—updates might fix it… eventually.
- Flash support was missing initially, but Adobe later rolled out a fix. Apps like BBC iPlayer now work, but some apps still lack Android 4 compatibility.
Ubuntu OS: A Brave New World?
Fast forward to 2013, and Ubuntu OS released a beta version for the Galaxy Nexus. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. Spoiler alert: It’s a mixed bag. While the concept is exciting, the execution feels half-baked. If you’re a tech enthusiast, it might be worth experimenting with. For everyone else? Stick to Android.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the Galaxy Nexus?
The Galaxy Nexus is a solid phone with a few quirks. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly device to experiment with Ubuntu OS or just want a reliable Android phone, it’s worth considering. Check the latest prices on Amazon.
Rating: 4/5
Verdict: Great for tech enthusiasts, but casual users might find the quirks frustrating.